Centuries from Kind, Maree and Jansen highlight Grey stalemate
First Innings
After two days of action and two outstanding centuries, Grey College and Grey High were forced to settle for a draw on the Johan Volsteedt Oval, in Bloemfontein on Saturday.
Their match, which included two innings for both sides and a maximum of 70 overs per innings, began on Friday morning with Grey College batting first after the coin flip fell in their favour.
The hosts advanced at a decent clip to tally 307/7 after 70 overs. Opener Christian Kind was the cornerstone of their innings, stroking 12 fours in his 159-ball stay, which ended when he was bowled by Nathan Trytsman, but only after he successful reached his 100-run milestone.
Trytsman was the pick of the Grey High bowlers, collecting 3/29 in nine overs, while Matthew Marshbank removed two top-order batsmen in his 2/63 from 11 overs.
River Scott and Juan Maree provided the home side with their most substantial stand, partnering for 110 runs for the fifth wicket. While Scott contributed 30, Maree took charge, hammering 10 fours and seven sixes in an exciting knock of 123 off 129 deliveries.
With opener Cullen Marais in good knick, Grey High made a sound start to their reply. He cracked eight fours in a 75-ball stay that brought him 37 runs before he was trapped LBW by River Scott. He was treated with respect by the Gqerberha batsmen, recording five maidens in his 2/47 from 11 overs.
Daniel Hattingh, meanwhile, sent down eight overs and got rid of two top-order batsmen while giving up 37 runs.
Grey High’s fourth and fifth batsmen, Logan Goddard-Ford and Nathan Trytsman, delivered solid innings, with Goddard-Ford striking six fours in his 39 and Trytsman hitting nine in his 52.
However, it was Anfred Jansen, batting at seven, who stole the spotlight. Much like Grey College’s Juan Maree, he also smashed 17 boundaries in an unbeaten century, although he hit even more sixes, with 10 in total and seven fours. In just 68 balls, he raced to 106 runs.
After 70 overs, Grey High had posted 303/7, leaving them only four runs behind Grey College, but there was not much time left in the game.
Second Innings
The hosts’ second innings lasted only 26.4 overs before the contest came to an end. Once again, though, opener Christian Kind produced a good innings. He dispatched five balls to the boundary and another four over it in his 70 off 66 balls.
He and his opening partner, Peter le Roux, combined for a 112-run opening stand, with Le Roux ending the match unbeaten on 49 off 90 deliveries.
Jayden Rohroff was the only bowler to claim a wicket, finishing with 1/23 from 4.4 overs.
In the end, the contest petered out into a tame draw, which was highlighted by some fine batting from both sides.
Summarised Scorecard
First Innings
Grey College 310/7 dec. (Juan Maree 123*, Christian Kind 100, River Scott 30; Nathan Trytsman 3/29, Matthew Marshbank 2/63); Grey High 302/7 dec. (Anfred Jansen 106*, Nathan Trytsman 52, Logan Goddard-Ford 39, Cullen Marais 37, Extras 26; Daniel Hattingh 2/37, River Scott 2/47).
Second Innings
Grey College 123/1 dec. (Christian Kind 70, Peter le Roux 49*). Match Drawn.
